August 23, 2021

Dear Yellowjacket Families,

The Oneonta City School District could not be more excited to welcome our students back for in-person instruction five days per week starting on September 9^th. We are gearing up, getting ready, and getting excited about working with your children during the upcoming school year that will be filled with learning, classmates, and opportunity.  We have been working incredibly hard to fill vacancies and hire those that we feel will be able to forge positive relationships with our students as we all know that our students don’t care about what we teach them until they know that we care for them. We have hired nearly thirty-five new Yellowjackets to our school community all of whom are caring and passionate about doing what they can to contribute to the futures of those they serve.

The health and safety of all involved continues to be critically important. As such, the Oneonta City School District has employed a “layered mitigation strategy” which is a combination of safety measures designed to prevent or lessen the transmission of COVID-19 in school. COVID-19 and the Delta variant poses a formidable challenge. However, we are going to do our utmost to mitigate risk and keep our students in-person where they learn best. We recognize that all health and safety protocols are subject to change based on community transmission. 

As of this moment, the below represents how we will start the school year:

• Please note that it is important that your child’s mask fit properly. Acceptable masks or those that seal well around one’s nose and mouth simultaneously. Acceptable facemasks do not include bandanas, face shields, Gaiters, or masks with valves or vents. Please continue to provide two acceptable facemasks that are properly sized with your child’s name on them daily.

• Based on the current level of community transmission in our county, entry into our school will be reserved for students, faculty, staff, and support personnel except for a few structured events where physical distancing can be maintained. These events will be communicated to our families through their child’s building principal. 
• All students and bus drivers will wear masks on buses by order of the CDC. However, the CDC has removed the requirement to physically distance students on school transportation. Our buses will operate with windows ajar and roof hatches open to facilitate ventilation - weather permitting.
• Students and staff members are not required to wear masks outdoors unless, or when they will be within 3 feet of others, including during recess. In these instances, masks will be required. 
• We are working with the Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES on a remote option exclusively for those deemed “medically homebound” by a physician or a circumstance wherein the health of a child’s parent/guardian is such that consideration should be given for a student to receive remote instruction. Please remember to complete the remote learning survey shared with you on August 17^th via ParentSquare by noon on Wednesday, August 25^th if this applies to your family’s circumstances. Otherwise, remote learning will be reserved for COVID-related closures if they are deemed necessary. 
• Daily health attestations on ParentSquare as well as temperature screenings are no longer required per the CDC. However, it is so incredibly important that all members of the school community remain proactive and stay home when they are not feeling well.
• We will utilize seating charts in classrooms, lunches, and buses, when possible for contact tracing and quarantine purposes. 
• According to current CDC guidelines, vaccinated individuals will not need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 as long as they are asymptomatic. 
• Consistent with this past year, any student exhibiting a COVID-19 symptom, even one, will be taken to our Quarantine/Isolation room, be dismissed by the health office, and will need to follow up with their private provider and either be COVID tested, complete a 10-day isolation at home, or receive an alternate diagnosis from your healthcare provider.  Attached please find the CDC flow chart capturing this process for reference.
• We will offer extracurricular activities while following all of the health and safety protocols in place during the school day. We recognize the importance of these opportunities for our students. Students perform better academically and are absent less when they feel a sense of connection to their school. We are ready and excited to offer these opportunities for our students in a safe manner in order to foster that connection and help students transition back into school as seamlessly as possible.
• As always, the Oneonta City School District will continue to monitor the level of community transmission. We will continue to consult and work closely with the Otsego County Department of Health. However, please note that instruction and guidance from the Otsego County Department of Health can change the district’s guidelines regarding COVID-19 procedures. Should this happen, we will share any changes to protocols as soon as possible.     

The unfortunate reality remains that we have a ways to go regarding this pandemic and the challenges that it may pose. Our Yellowjacket community is strong and fortunate to have our students, parents, faculty and staff working together as we all do our best to make the 2021-2022 school year special while taking advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that the OCSD offers!

Please enjoy the rest of this summer and best wishes for a very healthy and successful school year ahead. As always, please feel free to call or email. 

Proudly and Appreciatively,

Thomas Brindley  

August 4, 2021

Dear Yellowjacket Parents/Guardians, Faculty and Staff,

As I draft this message, my hope remains that you are all well. I am writing to share that the Oneonta City School District has been informed that Otsego County has reached the “substantial transmission” designation for COVID-19. In the most recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), once an area reaches this designation, masks should be worn indoors regardless of vaccination status. This is also a position supported by the Otsego County Department of Health. As such, the Oneonta City School District, effective immediately and until further notice, we will require that masks be worn indoors and on our buses regardless of vaccination status.

This is an unfortunate turn of events but one that will hopefully protect our students, staff, and their respective families as we continue to deal with this virus. 

Thank you for your understanding and stay well.

Mr. Thomas Brindley
Superintendent of Schools

 

June 6, 2021 

Dear Yellowjacket Community, 

On Friday, June 4, 2021, the New York State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Howard A. Zucker, issued a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) which indicated that, absent information from the CDC  to the contrary, effective Monday, June 7, 2021, New York State public schools may lift the mask wearing requirement for students, staff, and visitors on school property.  As of today’s date, the CDC has not responded to this letter.  

Since the issuance of this letter, the New York State Education Department issued the following clarification:

SED has been in communication with Executive staff regarding the letter from Dr. Howard Zucker, New York State Commissioner of Health.  According to conversations with Executive staff, the intent of this letter was to obtain a response from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding differing standards for summer camps and schools; it has not changed any existing arrangements.  Therefore, schools should continue to operate under their existing procedures until further notice.  No changes have been, or will be, made by the Executive until after Monday, June 7 to afford the CDC an opportunity to respond to the letter.  

Based upon this clarification and while these agencies sort through this, the Oneonta City School District will remain a mask-wearing school district as has been the case throughout the school year. We will remain so until the CDC responds to Dr. Zucker’s letter and additional guidance is issued by the State. As this matter continues to evolve, we will promptly update you with any changes.  We are closing in on the end of an exceptionally challenging school year for all involved. As always, Thank You for your cooperation and support as we continue to safeguard the health and well-being of our students and staff.  

 Sincerely,

 Thomas Brindley

May 20, 2021

Dear Yellowjacket Families, Friends, and Community Members:

There has been both legal and safety-related information recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State related to a number of items. I wanted to share how these items impact us in the Oneonta City School District.

Masks: The CDC, and now New York State, has shared guidance that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face mask in most situations (with exceptions). Please note that this guidance has not changed for schools as masks are still required in school buildings, on school grounds, on school buses, and all other school events.

COVID-19 Screening Protocols: All staff and students continue to be expected to answer the screening questions each day before coming to school and have their temperatures checked prior to entering their respective school building.

Athletic Spectators: With the increase in gathering size for outdoor events, we are no longer bound by the 2 spectator per athlete stipulation. With that said, please note that all spectators, coaches, volunteers, and athletes are still required to wear a face mask at all times and maintain appropriate social distancing.

Other Events: We recognize that family and friends are trying to plan for end of year events. At this time, we have planned for an outdoor Oneonta Middle School graduation and an outdoor Oneonta High School graduation. Both of these events will allow for 2 guests per graduate to attend in-person. We can seat this number of guests in the Lloyd Baker Field bleachers socially distanced. We will have virtual ceremonies for elementary awards/moving up celebrations. Specifics, if not already released, will be so shortly.

Marijuana/Cannabis: On March 31st, Governor Cuomo signed into law the legalization of the adult use of cannabis/marijuana. All Oneonta City School properties are bound by federal requirements under the Drug-Free School and Communities Act as well as the Drug-Free Workplace Act. This means that the use, possession, cultivation and sale of cannabis remain prohibited on all Oneonta City School District properties.

Next School Year: We are looking forward to opening our schools in September five days per week with all students in attendance. As such, we will not be hosting remote learning in the 2021-2022 school year. However, Otsego-Northern Catskills (ONC) BOCES is exploring the possibility of offering a remote option for the schools they serve for next year. To accurately determine our need for contracting with BOCES for this service, we will be sending a questionnaire to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of our current remote students seeking input regarding the opening of the 2021-2022 school year. Our school community has done a wonderful job throughout this pandemic in an attempt to keep our students, our staff, and the families that they return home to as safe and healthy as possible. We are very excited to begin the 2021-2022 school year in full capacity. As always, we will continue to monitor any and all safety measures/procedures recommended/stipulated by the State or County.

School Budget: With sincere appreciation, I am happy to report that the 2021-2022 school budget was passed on Tuesday by this incredibly supportive community.

Free and Reduced Meals: Although the United States Department of Agriculture has extended free lunch through the 2021-2022 school year, we are asking that if you are eligible for free or reduced meals this school year, PLEASE fill out the Free & Reduced Lunch Application 2020-21 that can found on our District website by visiting: Oneontacsd.org → “District” → “Food Services” and under “Download/Files” please click on “Free & Reduced Lunch Application 2020-21”. Certain aid and resources for our schools can/may be diminished or lost if we do not accurately reflect the needs of our community. If eligible, please complete and return the form to: Oneonta City Schools, 130 East Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. Please call 607-433-8243 Ext. 2153, if you need any assistance in completing this form.

Please stay well and Thank You for your continuing support of the OCSD and GO Yellowjackets!!

• Please note the NYS Education Department (NYSED) has submitted a formal request to the United States Department of Education (USDE) to waive state testing requirements at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Pending a decision from the USDE regarding NYSED’s waiver request our plan for 3-8 testing will be the following:
  1. The ELA and Math grades 3-8 exams will be single-session tests.  
  2. Tests have been reduced in length by the removal of the embedded multiple-choice field test questions.
  3.  Lab practical is not required as part of the Grades 4 & 8 Science assessment.
  4. Those students designated as “FULLY REMOTE” are not required to attend school to test.  However, if a student who is designated as “FULLY REMOTE” wishes to take the exam, the parent should notify their building principal so that accommodations may be made.
  5. You will be receiving specific information from your child’s Principal about the testing schedule and test procedures. Please contact them if you have any questions. I encourage all students to participate in the assessment process. Your child’s scores on the state tests will not affect their grades and it is one more opportunity to understand student learning and plan for the future for your children, our students. The dates for the aforementioned tests are: 
     • April 29^th ELA
     • May 13^th Math
     • June 8^th Science 

• NYSED has cancelled the August administration of Regents Exams.
• NYSED has also applied for a waiver from the USDE to cancel the June administration of Regents Exams citing the challenges that COVID has presented for students around the State. The USDE has not yet ruled on this. As such, NYSED is planning to administer the following Regents Exams: 
  1. Algebra I, Earth Science (just the written test), English Language Arts, and Living Environment. Schools have been informed by NYSED that they will inform us of those exact dates at some time in the next couple of weeks.
  2. Please note that if the USDE grants this waiver to NYSED, the June Regents will be cancelled as well. 
  3. Please use the below link to view the March 19^th memo from The State Education Department regarding this information: The State Education Department Memo.

1. Wednesday, May 19^th
2. Friday, May 28^th
3. Wednesday, June 9th
4. Friday, June 18^th in observance of Juneteenth.

• Grades Kindergarten through 5th will transition to this four day per week model beginning Monday, March 29th.
  
  
• Grades 6-12 will transition to this four day per week model beginning Monday, April 19th. 

• ALL OCSD schools will go fully remote until Tuesday, January 19^th. 
• We will follow our remote instruction schedule during this time and return to hybrid instruction on January 19^th.  
• Please note that all New Visions students will continue to attend their program.
• All BOCES CTE (Career and Technical Education) students will continue to attend their programs as usual during this time.
• All Full Day BOCES students will continue to attend their programs as normal.
• Meal distribution will continue to take place at our designated meal distribution points on Wednesdays.

• Concerns associated with our community’s rising COVID-19 cases, recent cases that have affected our schools, uncertainty of what the holiday impact may have on COVID cases, need to establish a bit of educational stability and consistency during this time. 
• We have learned of a fifth confirmed positive COVID-19 staff member and one confirmed positive student. Two staff members work out of Riverside Elementary, one out of Greater Plains Elementary, and one who is shared between two schools. The student is enrolled in the high school. The impact of this information has resulted in substantial quarantining.
• As always, we immediately began working with the Department of Health to contact trace.
• As of today, we currently have 81 students in quarantine total. Please note that these are not all related to today’s update. 
• We have 27 staff members in quarantine who are also not all related to these new positives. 
• We are seeing testing sites booking two days out and results slow to come back.
• It appears as though the contact tracers as well as the Otsego County Department of Health are doing the very best they can but are facing tremendous challenges with the rising cases.
• The Department of Health has expressed concern relative to our district as we are seeing a rise in those who are symptomatic. The DoH has referred to Oneonta as the “epicenter” of this outbreak. 
• Our community is witnessing its highest COVID-19 positive numbers outside of what we experienced with the college spike.

• For travelers who were in another state for more than 24 hours:
  • Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure from that state.
  • The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days.
  • On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain seek another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.
    
    
• For travelers who were in another state for less than 24 hours:
  • The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.
  • However, the traveler must fill out the traveler information form (can be located at: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory) upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.

• Today, Wednesday, November 18th, 2020, the OCSD was made aware that we have a positive COVID-19 staff member at the Oneonta Middle School. We have also learned that several of our staff members are close contacts to two additional positive COVID cases resulting in substantial quarantining.
• We immediately began working with the Department of Health to contact trace.
• Those impacted by these cases will be quarantined through the Thanksgiving break.  
• These new cases have some substantial impact on several of our buildings. 
• Consequently, All OCSD schools will go fully remote beginning tomorrow November 19^th through at least Monday, November 30^th.  All OCSD students should prepare to follow their schedule remotely during the above listed dates.
• Please note that all New Visions students will continue to attend their program.
• All BOCES CTE (Career and Technical Education) students will attend their programs as usual during this time.
• All Full Day BOCES students will attend their programs as normal.
• BOCES students will be receiving an auto notification around 6 pm this evening regarding transportation to and from BOCES.
• Meal distribution will continue to take place at our designated meal distribution points on Wednesdays.
• Staff members as well as families of students who meet the criteria for close contact, as determined by the DoH, will receive phone calls from the Department of Health or by someone from the District.

• Tonight, Sunday, November 15th, 2020, the OCSD was made aware that we have a positive COVID-19 student enrolled at Greater Plains Elementary.
• We immediately began working with the Department of Health to contact trace.
• The result is that both students and a host of Greater Plains staff will need to quarantine until at least November 20^th. 
• As we have been struggling to fill COVID-related precautionary absences among our staff, this situation places us in a position where we cannot fill these additional vacancies. 
• Consequently, Greater Plains Elementary School will go fully remote beginning tomorrow November 16^th through at least Friday, November 20^th.  All Greater Plains Elementary students should prepare to follow their schedule remotely during the above listed dates.
• Riverside and Valleyview Elementary buildings will open as normal.
• The Oneonta Middle School and the Oneonta High School will open as normal.
• Staff members as well as families of students who meet the criteria for close contact, as determined by the DoH, will receive phone calls from the Department of Health or by someone from the District.

• If a rapid test is conducted:
  1. Positive results-no confirmatory test required (Unless required by the Department of Health)
  2. Negative result- confirmatory test required
• Students/Faculty/ Staff cannot return to school based on a negative rapid test alone, they must also provide proof of a negative confirmatory test as well.

• May not return until:
  • Cleared by a physician to return to school with documentation indicating alternate diagnosis and that Covid-19 is not suspected
  • Tested and found Covid-19 free (negative test – No Longer can be just a rapid test)
    • Been feeling well and fever free without medication for at least 24 hours
    • And documentation of a negative test is provided to the school
  • Diagnosed with Covid-19 (positive test): 
    • 10 days isolation from onset of symptoms.
    • Feeling well and fever free without medication for at least 72 hours.
    • And, released by the DOH. Student/staff will receive release documentation to provide to the school.
  • If you are unable to be evaluated by a physician or obtain test results within 48 hours of onset of symptoms student/staff will be presumed positive (DOH will be notified) and unable to return to school until:
    • negative test result received, feeling well, and fever free for 24 hours without use of medication
    • positive test result received and released from isolation by DOH

• Yesterday, we were made aware of the high probability of a positive case with one of our high school faculty members.
• We worked with our Department of Health partners and took measures to protect our school community by going fully remote in the middle and high school for today and Friday.
• I am happy to report that this suspected case is, in fact, negative.
• However, we have just learned that one of our high school faculty members, in what appears to be an unconnected case, has tested positive for COVID-19.
• We have already engaged in a collaborative fashion with the Department of Health and the teacher to identify who might be deemed to have been in close contact with this faculty member.
• Parents/guardians of students in this teacher’s class in the Blue Cohort, have been notified through an autonotification of this occurrence if determined that their child is considered in close contact to the affected teacher, they would be receiving a call from the Otsego County Department of Health and/or someone from the school district. This autonotification is not intended to alarm but to simply inform parents or guardians of students specific to the affected teacher and have this initial contact to our families come from our school district as opposed to a call from the DoH.  ***Please note that as I compose this update, I have heard from the Department of Health that NO student or any faculty/staff member is deemed a “close contact” to the affected teacher*** This is good news but we will continue to monitor this and all health and safety matters.
• The Oneonta Middle School and Oneonta High School will remain fully remote for Friday, October 23^rd.   All 6-12 students should prepare to follow their schedule remotely on these two days.
• All elementary buildings will open as normal.
• All Day BOCES students will attend their BOCES classes. 
• Oneonta students will NOT attend CTE courses at BOCES on Friday.
• New Visions students WILL attend program on Friday. Students can meet in front of the high school at 8:15 am. and the bus will transport from there. 
• Meals will be served in the elementary buildings as usual.

• Today, Wednesday, October 21^st, 2020, we were made aware that although no official results as of yet, there is a high probability of a positive case with one of our high school faculty members.
• As we await test confirmation, we will continue to work with the Department of Health to contact trace should that need arise.
• Out of an abundance of caution and as we await test confirmation and work with the Otsego County Department of Health, the Oneonta Middle School and Oneonta High School will go fully remote for the remainder of this week (Thursday 10/22 & Friday 10/23). All 6-12 students should prepare to follow their schedule remotely on these two days.
• All elementary buildings will open as normal.
• All Day BOCES students will attend their BOCES classes. 
• Oneonta students will NOT attend CTE courses at BOCES on Thursday or Friday.
• NO New Visions on Thursday or Friday 
• Once contact tracing is completed and if the result of this particular COVID-19 test is positive, Faculty and staff members as well as families of students who meet the criteria for close contact, as determined by the DoH, will receive phone calls from the District and will be contacted by the DoH.
• For those OMS and OHS students in need of meals for Thursday and Friday, there will be a meal distribution tent in front of the Oneonta Middle School on Thursday from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.  
• Meals will be served in the elementary buildings as usual.

• Faithfully complete the morning health screening daily. 
• Provide two acceptable facemasks with your child’s name on them daily. 
• Share with your child(ren) that mask wearing is not optional in this reopening plan.
• Provide friendly reminders of the importance of respecting the physical distancing guidelines in place.
• Sharing the importance of good respiratory and hand washing hygiene.
• Adhering to the established drop off times contained in the Framework.
• For those with students who will be receiving busing; please find the Bus Routes here on our Transportation webpage.

• An email with your student(s) cohort was sent September 22^nd.
• The deadline to make an instructional decision has been extended to Wednesday, September 30th.

1. Please start on our For Parents web page, and navigate to “Instruction as of 10/13/20”. There you will find details of each of the instructional models.
2. If you did not receive your child’s color cohort assignment, please call 607-433-8200 and reach out to your child’s school to obtain that information. 
3. Please provide your child’s school with the correct contact information for all guardians to ensure that you receive any future communications.
4. Submit your instructional decision for each child by clicking the appropriate link on the Hybrid Instruction” web page https://www.oneontacsd.org/HybridInstructionInformation.aspx

August 3, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I am writing to share that our District’s Pandemic Reopening Plan has been posted to our District website.  Please be aware that this is a document that was required to be submitted to the New York State Education Department and New York State Department of Health but remains a work in progress and is subject to change as we await an official announcement from the governor. Many factors could alter the scope of this framework including Executive Orders from the governor, directives and recommendations from the New York State Department of Health, or the Otsego County Department of Health.

Even though I knew better, I truly looked forward to our high school graduation thinking that the uncertainty and craziness that was the 2019-2020 school year would be behind us. However, we know that there remains tremendous uncertainty ahead of us. Working through the “What Ifs” toward a reopening plan has been incredibly difficult. There are simply NO good options. We all want our students back in our brick and mortar buildings. Unfortunately, when school district leaders are being asked to make these decisions based on, among other criteria, how many hospital beds are available in our communities, the decision to reopen a school district takes on a different meaning. Having thousands of college students move into our community during a time where we are simply in no better position than we were last March relative to this illness is quite concerning. Creating a phasing in approach allows us to monitor what impact the influx of these young adults may have on the collective health of our community seems most appropriate. As such, we will remain in the remote learning environment to start the 2020-2021 school year. We will reevaluate this model as we approach the Interim Progress Report period of October 9^th. 

Opening schools in anything other than a fully in-person schedule creates many hardships. This framework details a remote learning opening to the 2020-2021 school year that we recognize will be difficult for many. However, as mentioned in the framework, it is our main intention to safeguard the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff members, and by extension the collective health of our community. This has been and continues to be a difficult time for all of us. During the initial school closure, many of our district parents and guardians were able to work from home, while others left their jobs in order to educate children at home.  Educators were quickly placed into an environment where they needed to learn new learning management systems and teach from home while also assisting their own children who were learning in this manner as well. It has also been tremendously difficult for our students who have not had the face-to-face time with their teachers or the social interaction with their peers that we know are so important. 

The health and safety of students and staff are our top priority. While this plan is in compliance with the requirements set by the New York State Education Department which serve as baseline stipulations, there are occasions wherein we feel that adherence to a more stringent approach as recommended by the New York State Department of Health and the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), safeguards our school community stakeholders better. Please know that the guidelines and protocols that have been established are not flexible. As a school district, we have kept safety first and foremost and we will continue to do so. 

The Reopening Framework posted on our District’s website, contains information about our phased in approach to the opening of school for the 2020-2021 school year as well as many safety procedures, protocols, and expectations. It also contains information about the three formats under which we may be attending school at some point throughout this school year. Please note that there is also a “Quick Guide” that I hope will answer many questions that you might have. My hope is that by this school year’s end, we find ourselves fully opened with the medications and vaccines in place to protect us all. 

Thank you for your cooperation and continued understanding during this time. I am appreciative to all of our faculty, staff, community partners, and our parents and guardians who have provided input that informed this framework. I recognize that for many, reopening remotely is not desirable and I respect that position. 

We have begun providing professional development and meetings designed to culminate with the information that our students/families, and faculty and staff will need in order to create a standards-based and meaningful educational experience. There will be other correspondence from this school district or your child’s respective school(s) with specific information. 

For now, I continue to wish all of our OCSD families good health. As always, please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions (office: 607-433-8200 X-1301 or tbrindley@oneontacsd.org).